Go For Graduation Challenge
The "Go for Graduation" Scholarship program, now entering its third year, is designed to help BSC students who need special financial assistance to complete their final year of college and graduate.

Bridge and Lane Closure
As the Martin Luther King Bridge will be closing beginning Friday, June 5, please use caution when traveling to and from campus. The Route 52 entrance will be temporarily closed through the Martin Luther King bridge replacement project. An alternate route along Hill Street has been established.

School of Nursing & Allied Health
The School of Nursing and Allied Health offers degrees in nursing and radiologic technology. Programs offered include: baccalaureate and associate degrees in nursing, baccalaureate in radiologic sciences, and the associate degree in radiologic technology.

The W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business
The School of Business at Bluefield State College offers a variety of programs. Students in the four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration program must complete the requirements of two specializations chosen from: accounting, management, marketing, or computer science.

School of Education
The School of Education offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education (K-6) or Early/Middle Education. The program prepares graduates to teach at the Elementary (K-6) grade level and/or the Middle School (5-9) grade level in one of four required areas of specialization: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, General Science, and Social Studies.

School of Engineering Technology & Computer Science
Students graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science are prepared for positions as systems analysts, software designers, network professionals, and webmasters depending on the education path taken.

Bluefield State College
Bluefield State College was established as a black teachers college by an act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1895 and was integrated after 1954. By the 1960's the College had a comprehensive four-year program of teacher education, arts and sciences, and engineering technology. Gradually a variety of two-year technical programs evolved in response to local needs.

Dr. James Walters discusses DNA molecule structure with an interested young student during the Bluefield State College Biomedical Club’s presentation at Princeton’s Fourth of July Celebration. Dr. Amanda Matoushek works with a student to create a “brain hat” during the Bluefield State College Biome...

(Bluefield)—A $23,000 grant award from the West Virginia Department of Education & the Arts will provide a valuable and substantial boost to the Bluefield Professional Development Schools (PDS) consortium. The Bluefield PDS focuses upon enhancing the preparation of teacher education candidates, enh...

ss Bluefield State College President Dr. Marsha Krotseng (center) and her husband, Mr. Lee Krotseng (right) recently presented a $12,000 check to the Bluefield State College Foundation in support of the “Go For Graduation Challenge” at BSC. Betty Carroll (left), BSC Foundation Executive Director, r...

Mr. Kantor noted that Chairman Barnes, could not attend the meeting but would participate via speaker phone. Vice Chairman Kantor chaired the meeting.

Approval of Minutes

Vice Chairman Kantor asked for approval of the minutes of the February 18, 2004 meeting of the Board of Governors. The minutes were approved as presented.

Introduction of Guests

Mr. Kantor introduced Bluefield, WV Mayor Robert Perkinson and State Senator Jesse Guills. Senator Guills spoke about the developments related to the path by which Senate Bill 448 came into being, went through changes, and arrived at the Governor’s desk. He also encouraged the Board and the BSC community to move forward and seek opportunities for growth and service. After his presentation, there was a question and answer session.

Financial and Administrative Affairs

Mahood Hall

Shelia Johnson indicated that a contract has been awarded to the engineering firm Thompson & Litton, who developed a cost proposal for the Mahood Hall project. She said a potential donor for the project has been identified. That individual is considering their level of financial support for the initiative. The cost estimate for Mahood Hall is 8.5 million.

Rozzell Property

Shelia said this piece of property is located behind the Harris-Jefferson Student Center building. The owners want to sell the house and property to the College for$15,000. Shelia said there is a lein on this property for $1800. This property is in our Master Plan as a potential parking area. A motion was made and seconded (LAikens/GMoore) to authorize the purchase of the Rozzell property. Motion carried.Proposed Budget

Shelia distributed statewide higher education budget information that came from Charleston. Shelia talked about the bonding initiative and said that this has not been advanced, and at present, requests have been made to the Governor to put this on the agenda. Shelia said that between Bluefield State and New River Community and Technical College she expects a state appropriations reduction to come to an amount that could range between $424,000 and $587,000. There was considerable discussion concerning the state appropriations budget for Bluefield State ($1.8 million) and for New River Community & Technical College ($6.9 million). Shelia said she and Dr. Walker participated in a conference call with Senator Plymale, and it was agreed that the Bluefield State budget would be increased by $1.4 million, making a total BSC appropriation to $3.2 million. Extensive discussion followed.

Zero Step Classification

Shelia passed out zero step classification information. She said in 2001 the State passed a new classification schedule, the “zero step.” She said this means that classified employees currently are based on classification 7 through 21 and years of service 0 through 15. The Higher Education Policy Commission has indicated that by FY2005 (June 30, 2005) all classified employees will be at zero step. She said BSC has 63 employees below the zero step, and it will cost $128,627 in salary to bring those employees up to zero step.

Tuition and Fee

Shelia said the College’s tuition and fee requests must be returned to HEPC no later than April 2. Shelia recommended that the tuition and fee proposal be approved as presented with a provision that permits Dr. Walker latitude to make changes after it is known what the budget will be. A motion was made and seconded (DFrost/LAikens) to allow the College’s administration to set a tuition and fee increase for the College in an amount not to exceed 4.75% for the New River Community & Technical College and 9.5% for the baccalaureate college. Motion carried.

Academic and Student Affairs

Honorary Degree Recipient

Dr. Eaves requested that Mr. Wellington Swindall be approved to receive an honorary degree during the May 2005 commencement exercises. He said Mr. Swindall is a graduate of Bluefield State College and is the donor of an $100,000 endowment. Motion was made and seconded (JForlines/GMoore) to approve the awarding of an honorary degree to Mr. Swindall.

Program Review

Dr. Eaves presented program review information for the B. A. in Humanities. He said it is recommended that this information be forwarded to HEPC. Motion was made and seconded (LAikens/JStafford) to approve this program review.

Dr. Eaves distributed material that included program reviews for AS ARET; AS CIET; AS ELET; AS MEET for Board members to review and take action at their next meeting. Dr. Eaves said the deadline for submission to HEPC is May 31.

Enrollment Management

Enrollment

John Cardwell distributed an enrollment report for the spring semester. He said current enrollment is at an all-time high for any spring semester in the College’s history. He projected that final spring semester enrollment will reach 3600 students.

Allied Health Sciences Program

John reported that applications for the BSC radiologic technology and nursing program yielded the highest number ever of qualified applicants.

Media Relations

Jim Nelson distributed a report of the Media Relations Office’s activities and discussed the material.

New River Community and Technical College

Accreditation

Dr. Perkins introduced Dr. Blanks, who discussed activities related to NRCTC accreditation. Dr. Blanks gave each member a brochure that detailed the accreditation process of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. She indicated that accreditation criteria has changed since Bluefield State received its accreditation in 2002. Dr. Blanks reviewed accreditation criteria and activities related to accreditation. She said North Central personnel were very impressed with the progress of the NRCTC accreditation preparation effort to date. Dr. Blanks said the self-study plan and timeline have been developed.

Dr. Blanks said accreditation team members have been collecting data from multiple sites and have met with focus groups. She said a survey instrument has been developed and requested that when Board get this survey, they should respond and return it. There was discussion.

Policies

Dr. Perkins introduced Mrs. Elizabeth Belcher, Human Resources Director. She said there were two sets of policies 1-16, 17-31, along with policies 30 & 25. A motion was made and seconded (LAikens/JCaffrey) toapprove policies. There was discussion. Mr. Stafford recommended that Policy 29 be amended to reflect existing State Code, then be voted upon at the next Board meeting. A motion was made and seconded (JStafford/GMoore) to approve the amendment. All other policies were approved for adoption.

Classified to Non-Classified Positions

Dr. Perkins distributed material on two positions at NRCTC, showing the responsibilities contained within the positions. He asked for approval to change the positions from classified to non-classified status. Mr. Frost noted that he brought this issue up at his first meeting as a Board member, adding that he continues to have concern about changing the positions from classified to non-classified status. He asked if their current positions as classified would be advertised? Dr. Perkins said it is his understanding that these positions are not new but have added responsibilities.Mr. Frost said he believed that a legal issue exists, noting that the proposed action, in his opinion, would not be in compliance with the law and possibly affirmative action requirements, if the positions aren’t advertised. He said that the individuals affected may need to be placed in interim positions. Mr. Frost indicated at the first Board meeting he attended, these employees were listed as directors and this Board at that time said it would not act on this. Mr. Kantor asked Dr. Perkins whether, in changing these positions from classified to non-classified, is it required that they be advertised? Mrs. Belcher said that since this involves reclassification of the positions, they do not need to be advertised. Mr. Frost said that it needed to be clarified whether the action requested was a reclassification or a promotion. Memorandum 4 does not deal with changing classified and non-classified position status. It addresses creating positions that are critical to the institution and does not say classified to non-classified. A motion was made and seconded (DFrost/JCaffrey) to make these positions interim. There was discussion concerning this. There was one vote for the motion and ten votes against. This motion was defeated. A motion was made and seconded (MHanna/JCaffrey) to change these positions from classified to non-classified and be put into effect as proposed by Dr. Perkins. There were ten votes for the motion and one vote against. The motion passed.

Institutional Development

Dr. Blanks announced the following:

1. She said the AEP Building project is moving along a little slower than was anticipated. A Phase I study was conducted by Marshall and Miller. She said it has been determined to have a Phase II analysis, an initiative that will require a mini-contract.

2. To date, an amount of $5,000-$10,000 has been collected in the annual drive.

3. A planned phone-a-thon will yield an updated alumni/friends of the College data base and provide another opportunity to seek financial support for BSC.

4. The Annual Scholarship dinner will be held on April 22.

5. On May 1, she will be presenting a program at Woodrow Wilson High School.

President’s Report

Dr. Walker delivered a slide presentation on activities that have taken place since the last Board meeting.

Next meeting

Mr. Kantor announced that the next meeting of the Board of Governors would take place on April 15, 2004, at 6:45 p.m. at the College.

With no further business to transact, the meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.